Gripper motion for cylinder printing presses



c. L. LOW

Filed Sept. 18, 1929 8 sh ts-511951; l

INVENTOR Chas-L.Low

BY @M gmom ATTORNEY Aug. 25, 1931.

GRIPPER MOTION FOR CYLINDER PRINTING PRESSES a mm x -J 7 .I TIIIIIIIIII.|:L Q Q Q\\ v lfilllllllrL ..|||..|||||||||||..|L mm 4 mm o N m mm QMHE M 0 O Mm o o 0 o NWKN Aug. 25, 1931. v c. L. LOW 1,820,470

GRIPPER MOTIQN FOR CYLINDER PRINTING PRESSES Filed Sept. 18. 9 9 8Sheets-Sheet 2 Q m 3 Q w R 1 Q O O 0 mm 0 N O 11 raw - o h o 1* Q l v mw.

INVENTOR Cha8.L.L0w

BY S

K ATTORNEY GRIPPER MOTION FOR CYLINDER PRINTING PRESSES Filed Sept. 18.1929 8 Sheet L 3 2.5 v Ill ll B m 9 a INVENTOR L, BY Q wm ATT Y Aug. 25,1931. c. L. LOW 1,820,470

GRIPPER MOTION FOR CYLINDER PRINTING PRESSES Filed Sept. 18, 1929 aSheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR 30 Cbalsnlhllo w N- EEJE;

Aug. 25, 1 931. c. L. LOW 1,820,470

GRIPPER MOTION FOR CYLINDER=-PRINTING PRESSES Filed Sept. 18', 1929 8Sheets-Sheet 5 'INVENTOR ATTORNEY Aug. 25, 1931. c. L. LOW J 1,820,470

' GRIPPER MOTION FOR CYLINDER PRINTING PRESSES Filed sept. 18, 1929 3sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR Chas- L.L0w

Aug. 25, 1931.

C. L. LOW

GRIPPER MOTION FOR CYLINDER PRINTING P835585 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 FiledSept. 18, 1929 INVENTOR ATTORNEY CbaS.'L.L0w

BY QJ v WW Aug. 25, 1931. c. L. LOW 1,820,470

GRIPPER yonon FOR CYLINDER'PRINTING PRESSES Filed Sept. 18, 1929 8sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR BY Q a-n6 am ATTOlN'fY Patented Aug. 25, 1931UNITED STA TES, "PATENT oFF1cs CHARLES 'L.'Low,'or rniisno, cnmronnin,nssienoa To LISENBY MANUFACTUBIFNG I company, or Fansno, CALIFORNIA, Acoaroaarron GRIPTPER M OTIONFOR CYLINDER PRINTING I'R-ESSES 'Applicationfiled September 18, 1929. Serial Ilo. 393,404.-

' This invention relates to printing presses and articula'rl to one ofthe c linder and fiat bed type, such-as-for instance is shown in myPatent -No.-1,587,968,'dated June 8,

In presses of this character the cylinder oscillates through a certainarc, and with each alternate Oscillation a sheet of paper is arranged tobe passed around the cylinder C of the paper slipping relative to theadvancand thereby placed in contact with the type on the moving bedunderthe cylinder.

mechanism, timed to co-ordinate with the oscillation of the cylinder,must of course be provided to insure the movement and the feeding of thepaper into positionat the proper instant. I

.In the device of the above mentioned patcut this was done by means of aroller mechanism co-operating with the feed tapes, wh1ch intermittentlycaused the paper todefinitely travel forward into'the sphere of'actionof the cylinder. This arrangement was not only somewhat complicated butthere was a chance ing mechanism and thereb-y faillng to be moved intocooperating relationship with the cylinder at the properinstant.

The present invention relates-to anism for passing the paper about'thecyl- U inder and my principal object isto simplify the construction ofthe necessary mechanism over what was previously used, and to arrange itso that the paperfwilllbe definitely gripped and held against thecylinder in the exact position desired without any possibility ofslipping. At the same time the paper is instantly released as soon as ithas been.

printed soithat it then passes" without interference to the stackerp IThestructure of the present invention is also particularly intendedtoibe used inconncctionwith the automaticfeeding mechanisi'n shown anddescribed in myco-pending application for patent, Serial No. 891,606,filed September'lO, 1929, and in which the use of tapes to advance thepaper has been.

eliminated, andthe paperis fed directly by the suction nozzles from thepile to the posithe mechis engaged thereby.

tion where it isengaged by the grippermechanisin of thecylinder. I j yThe above and other objects I accomplished bymeans ofthe structure andarrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the followingspecification.

In the drawings slmilar characters time erence indicatecorrespondingparts in the several views. e i

Fig. 11s a fragmentaryside elevation of a press. showlngthe controlmechan smfor the gripper actuating cams, in the'position I occupied bythe various parts just before the of the gripper actuating cams inpositions corresponding to Fig. 3. p 1

Flg. is a view. similar to Fig. 3 showing the position-of the grippersjust as the paper the cylinder Fig. 6-is a fragmentary top plan -viewof' the cylinder and adjacent parts, showing such parts in the positionscorresponding to Fig. 7 is a View similar topFig. 3 showing the positionof the grippers as the cylinder is moving through and has nearlycompleted its printing stroke or oscillation.

Fig, 8- is a fragmentary top plan view of 5') the cylinder and adjacentparts in the posi-- tions coresponding to Fig.7.

Fig. 9 at View similarto Fig. 3 showing the position ofthe cylinder andgrippers'just V as the paper is released and is about to pass onto theconveyor tapes.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary top plan view of the cylinder and adjacentparts in the posi tions corresponding to Fig. .9.

' Fig/11 is across, section of the cylinder taken on the line of 11-:11of Fig.8. 1

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary detached View of the upper cam actuating unit.

Fig. 13 is a similar view of the lower cam actuating unit.

Fig. 14 is an end View of the double cam member which controls theoperation of said upper and lower cam actuating units.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary top plan view of the drum and paper supportingtable associated with it, showing the means for engaging orstraightening the paper which operates in timed conjunction with theengagement of the grippers with the paper.

It is to be noted that certain ones of the various views above describedonly show such features as are pertinent to the structure beingemphasized thereon, in order to avoid complication. of lines as much aspossible.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on thedrawings, 1 denotes the main side frames of the press slidably mountedon which in a suitable manner is the moving bed 2. This bed isreciprocated through a certain stroke from a crank 3 on the main driveshaft 4 of the press; this crank being connected by rod 5 with avertical walking beam 6 which is pivoted at its lower end in connectionwith the frame. The upper end of this beam is connected with the bed bya link 7 The above is a common arrangement for the purpose and of itselfforms no part of my invention.

Supported between end bearing blocks 8 mounted on the frames 1 is theprinting cylinder 9 extending transversely of the frames and of coursedisposed above the bed. This cylinder at one end has a gear 10 mountedin connection therewith which meshes with a rack 11 fixed on the bed, sothat the cylinder will oscillate with the reciprocation of the bed. Theextent of the reciprocation is such that the cylinder will oscillatethrough an are somewhat greater than a full revolution. As usual thecylinder is mounted in eccentric bearings, which are arranged to berotated to intermittently raise and lower the cylinder to and fromengaging with the type on the bed, in timed conjunction with theoscillation of the cylinder and movement of the bed. This arrangementalso is common and forms no part of my invention.

The cylinder is hollow as shown in Fig. 11 and various other views andfor a portion of its periphery it is cut away for a certaincircumferential extent, forming a relativelv wide slot which extends forthe full operating width of the cylinder. and at one end has a straightsharp cornered edge 12 disposed parallel to the axis of thecylinder.

Mounting in and extending lengthwise of the cylinder intermediate theends of the cut out portion or slot is a shaft 13, which ispara'llel-tofthe axis of the cylinder. This shaft carries a plurality ofgripping fingers 14;

which overhang the cylinder beyond the edge 12 a short distance. A shortradial arm 15 on the shaft and projecting away from the fingers is actedon by an adjustable compression spring 16 to maintain the points of thelingers pressingly engaged with the cylinder. 1he spring extends acrossthe cylinder substantially at right angles to the arm, and is disposedabout a rod 17 which is swivelly connected at one end to said arm and isslidable at its other end in a guide socket in the cylinder as shown inFig. 11.

The ends of the cylinder are solid and the shaft 13 projects through andbeyond th end of the same which is opposite to the gear 10. Fixed on theouter end. of the shaft in the space between the adjacent end of thecylinder and the corresponding bearing block 8, is a radial arm 18carrying a roller 19 on its outer end, this roller being disposed on theside of the arm which is nearest the hearing block. A stop pin 20projects from the cylinder and is positioned to engage the arm when thefingers are pressed against the cylinder, and thus limit the extent towhich the pressure of the spring 16 can thus act. The above parts beingmounted in direct connection with the cylinder, of course rotatetherewith as a unit.

Also disposed in the space between the cylinder and bearing block arespaced upper and lower cam blocks 21 and 22 respectively. These blockshave swells Q3 and 2-1- respectively, on their faces or ed s which arenearest the axis of the cylinder, these swells be ing disposed relativeto the path of movement of the outermost point of the roller when in anormal position and the cylinder turns, to engage said roller and causethe shaft 13 to be rotated and the fingers 1 1 to be lifted fromengagement with the cylii'ader against the resistance of the spring. Thecam s veils are disposed relative to the oscillating movement of thecylinder as to cause the lingers to be released only at predeterminedpositions of the cylinder as will hereinafter be described.

T he cam blocks are arran ed to be moved lO-t) into the path ofmovei'nent of the roller only at certain predetermined andintermittently 'ecurring intervals, and are therefore mounted and moved.in or out at the proper time in the following manner. 7

The upper cam block 21 is mounted on snaccd horizontal rods 25 whichslidably project through. and are supported by the ad jacent bearingblock 8; said rods being connected on their outer ends to a rigid bar26. Compression springs 27 about the rods between the bar and thebearing block act to hold the bar away from the block, andthe cam blockclose to the bearing block or away from the transverse path of movementof the roller.

The bar 26 is moved in toward the bearing block against the resistanceof the springs 27, so as to cause 4 the corresponding cam block 21 to bemoved transversely into the path of movement of the roller, by means ofa pin 28 upstanding from the outer end of an arm 29 which is fixed onand projects radially from a vertical shaft 30. Projectingfrom the lowerend of this shaft is a radial arm 31 to the outer end of which one endof a hori zontal link 32 is connected. The other end of this link isconnected to the upper end of a bellcrank 33 which is pivoted on theadjacent frame 1 as at '34. p r

The other leg of the bellcrank carries a roller 35 which rides on a cam36 fixed on the shaft 4. This cam is circular for the most part, so thatthe roller 35 and bellcrank are not affected, but for a certain andrelatively short portion of its circumferential extent, it has a swell37 positioned to engage and depress the roller. With such depression thebellcrank is moved, and through the interconnecting parts the shaft 30is turned in such a direction that the pin 28 pushes the bar 26 inwardlyor toward the bearing block. -This causes the corresponding cam block 21to be moved into the pathof theroller 19 as previously set forth. Theswell 37 is positioned on the cam relative to the position of the crank3 on the shaft 4, so as to cause the bellcrank p to be thus actuatedwhen the cylinder is just about the end-of its stroke in one direction,but while the said cylinder is still rotating with its upper surfaceturning toward the rear, or toward the feed-in end of the press.

The lower cam block 22 is also mounted on horizontal rods '38 whichslidably project through the adjacent block 8 and are con-' nected ontheir outer ends to a rigid bar 39. Springs 40 about said-rods act tohold the lower camblock 22 transversely clear of the path of the roller19. The bar 39 isengaged by one end of a radial arm 41 which projectsfrom the upper end of a sleeve-shaft 42 which surrounds and supports theshaft 30 and is itself supported from the frame 1 by suitable verticalspaced bearings B (see Figs. 1 and 2). A radial arm 43 projects from helower endof this sleeve and is connected to one end of a horizontal link44. This link extends'parallel to the link 32 and is,

connected to the upper end of the vertical leg of a bellcrank'45 whichis pivoted in common with the bellcrank 33. The other leg of this bellcrank extends under the cam 36 and carries a roller 46 on its outer endto ride on the said cam in transversely spaced relation to the roller35, as plainly shown in Fig. 14. i I

This cam has another swell 47, disposed to one side of the plane of theswell 37 so as not to affect the roller '35, but positioned so as toengage the roller 46. only. The swell 37 in turn is of course disposedso that. it does not affect the roller 46. The swell 47 is positionedsubstantially in diametrally opposed relation tothe swell 37, or soas todepress the roller 46 andactuatethe corresponding bellcrank when thecrank 3 is adjacent the opposite end of its stroke, as shown in Fig. 2;

or when the cylinder has completed a full revolution from theposition'it occupied when the crank was at the other end of itsstroke.

With the depression of the roller 46 and the accompanying movement ofthe bellcrank 45.

the bar 39 is actedon by the member 41 and depressed so as to move thecorresponding cam block 22 inwardly or toward the cylinder and into thepath of the roller 19. The conmoved in atthe same time. Separate springs48 act independently on the two bellcranks to hold their rollers againstthe cam member 36.

portion of. the cylinderyby suitable feeding means, which is preferablyof the type shown in my co-pend1ng application for patent pretrolmechanisms for the two blocks are thus arranged so that both cam blockscannot be .viously mentioned. This sheet is located on the tablebetweenv transversely spaced guide and adjustably fixed on transverselyextendin}! rods 52. i

These rods are separate from but alined with each other and are suitablymounted in connection with and under the table- The adjacent ends of therods are flexibly connected by links 53 with the ends of a horizon? talarm 54 which is pivotedcentrally of its length under thetable, so thatwhen one rod is moved lengthwise in one; direction, the

but in the opposite direction.

The purpose of this arrangement is to cause the guidestoengage andstraighten the edges of a sheet resting on the table between the guides.One of the rods 52 projects like whic projects between the sides of aforked member 56 depending from the rear end of the bar 26. Thereforewhen the bar is moved in or toward the cylinder bearing late's 51extending lengthwise of thepress other rod w1ll be moved to the sameextent block, the rod 52 is moved in 9. corresponding amount and bothpaper guides approach each other to engage and straighten the edge ofthe sheet. This operation takes place just before thepaper is gripped,as will beseen later,so that there isno chance for the paper when oncestraightened to get out of line before being gripped.

.The operation .of the gripping mechanism is asvfollows. Just before thecrank 3 reaches its forward dead center position, and the bed occupies acorresponding position, theedge 12 of the cylinder-slot is disposeduppermost and nearly at its real-most position relative to the table(see Fig. The upper cam is at this time moved into the path of theroller 19, causing the roller to ride on the swell 23 of said cam. Thiscauses the gripping lingers to be spread away or disengaged from thecylinder and allows the projecting edge of the sheet resting on thetable to be received between the cylinder and the grippers. At the sametime the sheet is being straightene-z'l as previously explained. Thesheet is disposed on the table so that when the edge 12 reaches its fullrear position (which is at the full forward dead center position of thecrank 3) the adjacent edge of the paper alined with the edge 12.

At the same instant the roller 19 leaves the swell 22:3, allowing thespring 16 to act to cause the grippers to lirmly engage and clamp thepaper against the cylinder (see Fig. 5). Also at the same instant theroller 35 of the bellcraul: which controls the posi tion of the cam 21leaves the swell 37 of the cam 36, so that said cam will be retractedfrom the path of the roller 19. Then with the turn of the cylinder inthe opposite direction, imparted thereto by the forward movement of thebed, the roller 19 will not engage the cam and the grippers will remainengaged with the sheet. Said sheet is therefore hold tight against thecylinder as the latter turns so that it is drawn under the cylinder andengaged with the bed in proper printing relation.

As the cylinder has about completed a full revolution in its printingdirection, the crank 3 approaches its rearward dead center position, andthe lower cam is moved into the path of the roller 9 (see l1" ig. 8) bythe action of the swell ell on the roller s16 ot the correspondingbellcranlr. By the time the cylinder has made slightly more than acomplete revolution the roller 19 engages the swell 2% on the cam 22,and the rippers are released -from the sheet (see Fig. 9). The releasededge of the sheet is then adjacent a number of horizontally alined fixedsupporting lingers 57, which are disposed between the cylinder on theside thereof opposite to the table and the tape conveyor 58 leading tothe stacker. The sheet then passes from the cylinder over the supportinglingers (which then practically engage the cylinder) and on to thetapes, from which it is conveyed to the stacker. The initial move mentin this direction is imparted to the sheet by reason of the continuedrotation of the cylinder in the same direction acting in conjunctionwith idler rollers 59 which engage the c dindcr above the fingers 57.

is the crank 3 reaches its full dead center nos ion ti o cam withdrawnfrom the path oi the ro ler 19 and the gripping fingers again close onthe cylinder. By this time, however, the paper has moved onto theconveyor and is clear of the cylinder so that it is: not now affected bythe gripping movement of the lingers. The cylinder then oscillates inthe opposite direction on a return or idle stroke until it assumes aposition as described at the outset, when the lingers are again spreadfrom the cylinder by reason of the cam 91, and the o ole of operationsabove described is repeated.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I haveproduced such a device as substantially lulliils the objects of theinvention as set forth herein.

i i hile this specification sets forth in detail the present andpreferred construction of the device, still. in practice such deviations"from such detail n'lay he 2 sorted to as do not form a departure fromthe spirit of the invention, as deline'l by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and useful anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a printing press having a printing cylinder, end bearing blocksfor the cylinder, means for oscillating the cylinder through an are ofpredetermined length, sheetsupporting means associated with thecylinder, grippcrs mounted in the cylinder to normally ongage theperiphery of the cylinder so as to grip one edge of a sheet duringprinting oscillation of the cylinder, a shaft parallel to the axis ofand mounted on tile cylinder and to which c grippers are re the shaftbeyond one end 0 the cylinder and disposed between said end and theadjacent bearing lock, and a roller on the outer end of the arm; a meansfor engagement with said roller to cause the grippers to be retractedtwin, and allowed to engage the pe riphery of the cylinder atpredetermined periods in the cycle of e *ciilation ot the cylinder, saidmeans comprising separate cam members extending about "the axis of thecylinder outwardly oi? the path oi the roller and adapted to bealternately engaged by the same in a manner to cause the grippers to hemoved clear of the cylinder, means supporting the cams slicably mountedin said block, bars secured to said supporting i'neans outw rdly of theblock, springs acting to hold cured, an arm on the cams adjacent theblock and laterally clear of the roller, and means acting on the barsand functioning with the operation of the press to separately move thebars toward the blockagainst the action of the springs whereby thecorresponding cams will be shifted laterally into the path of travel ofthe roller.

2. In a printing press having a printing cylinder, endbearing blocks forthe cylinder, means for oscillating the cylinder through an arc ofpredetermined length, sheet supporting means associated with thecylinder, grippers mounted in the cylinder to normally engage theperiphery of the cylinder so as outer end of the arm; a means forengage-t ment withsaid roller to cause the grippers to be retracted fromand allowed to engage the periphery of the cylinder at predeterminedperiods in the cycle of oscillation of the cylinder, said meanscomprising separate cam members'extending about the axis of the cylinderoutwardly of the path of the roller and adapted to be alternatelyengaged by the same in a manner to cause the grippers at predeterminedperiods in the cycle of oscil-' to be moved clear of the'c'ylinder,springs normally holding the cams clear of said path,

and means for moving the'cams into said path in predetermined andseparate order, such means comprising a rotatable disc mounted inconjunction with the cylinder oscillating means so that said disc turnsthrough a half revolution with each full oscillatory stroke of thecylinder, diametrally opposite and transversely spaced cam elements onsaid disc, rollers to separately ride on said ele-' ments, and separateoperating connections beyond one end of the-sameandmovable transverselythereof, a sheet straightening and-centering device, means for operatingsaid device including a transversely extend ing rod adapted for movementin an axial direction, and a connection between-the outer end of saidrod and the bar to cause therod to bethus moved withthetransversemovement of the bar.

In testimony whereof I aflixmy signature.

CHARLES L. LOW.

between said rollers and the cams to cause them to be moved into thepath of the first named roller when the disc elements engage v thecorresponding rollers,

3. A structure in claim 1, in which said last named means includesverticalcoaxial but independently turnable shafts mounted on the pressoutwardly of the bars, a radial arm projecting from the upper end of oneshaft and bearing againstone bar, a s1m1lar arm projecting from theupper end of the other shaft and bearing against the other bar,andmeans. functionin with the operation of the press and applied to thelower,

ends of the shafts for separately turning the I same sufliciently tocause the cams to be moved laterally into the path of the roller lationof the cylinder.

4. Ina printing press, a printing cylinder,

means for oscillating the same through-an are of predetermined length,means for sup porting a sheet of paper with one end overhanging andadjacent the cylinder, grippers mounted in connection with the cylinderto against the cylinder when the cylinder is at the end of anoscillatory stroke in one direc tion, means normally maintaining thegrippers in their clamping positions, means acting to retractthegrippers as the cylinder engage and clamp the said end of, the sheetapproaches the end of its stroke in said one. a direction, and to causethem to again assume their clamping positions as the cylinder reachessaid end of its stroke; said means including a bar mounted adjacent thecylinder

